Gun proposals don't cause mad rush for local gun stores

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 10:09 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 10:09 p.m.

The president unveiled 23 executive orders aimed at suppressing gun violence and asked Congress to ban assault weapons and higher capacity magazines Wednesday. But his announcement didn't exactly trigger a mad rush on firearm sales at two local gun shops.

"It's been steady," said Robert Chapman, a sales associate at Rex's Indoor Range on Upward Road, but it "hasn't been overwhelming."

John Parker, owner of Assurance Arms in Mills River, said his store was "real busy after the announcement, but no one mentioned anything" about the president's plans when they came in.

The ban on assault weapons and higher capacity magazines will not pass into law without Congressional approval. Parker doubts either ban will do much to control violence or crime.

Rex's Indoor Range's stock of ammo for assault rifles and modern sporting rifles continues to be sold out.

"We've had a problem getting that in stock," Chapman said.

Firearms and ammunition have been shooting off the shelves in Hendersonville since politicians began talking about disarming America in the wake of an elementary school shooting spree in Connecticut.

Horse Shoe Guns and Ammo could not be reached for comment Wednesday. A downed power line near the store knocked out power to 2,000 residential and commercial customers for most of the day.

<p>The president unveiled 23 executive orders aimed at suppressing gun violence and asked Congress to ban assault weapons and higher capacity magazines Wednesday. But his announcement didn't exactly trigger a mad rush on firearm sales at two local gun shops.</p><p>"It's been steady," said Robert Chapman, a sales associate at Rex's Indoor Range on Upward Road, but it "hasn't been overwhelming."</p><p>John Parker, owner of Assurance Arms in Mills River, said his store was "real busy after the announcement, but no one mentioned anything" about the president's plans when they came in.</p><p>The ban on assault weapons and higher capacity magazines will not pass into law without Congressional approval. Parker doubts either ban will do much to control violence or crime.</p><p>Rex's Indoor Range's stock of ammo for assault rifles and modern sporting rifles continues to be sold out. </p><p>"We've had a problem getting that in stock," Chapman said.</p><p>Firearms and ammunition have been shooting off the shelves in Hendersonville since politicians began talking about disarming America in the wake of an elementary school shooting spree in Connecticut. </p><p>Horse Shoe Guns and Ammo could not be reached for comment Wednesday. A downed power line near the store knocked out power to 2,000 residential and commercial customers for most of the day.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>